WASHINGTON: An American police officer, who brutally assaulted an Indian grandfather that left him paralyzed, will now face a fresh trial for misdemeanor assault next month.
Eric Parker will stand trial on June 8 and June 9 for misdemeanor assault against Sureshbhai Patel, the Indian grandfather who was taking a stroll around his son’s neighborhood in Alabama when he was brutally assaulted by the police officer in February last year.
Newly-appointed Limestone County District Judge Douglas “Doug” Lee Patterson said he was ready to move forward with the trial since it is a misdemeanor and there was no need to prolong the case, according to a local television station.
Parker was cleared of federal civil rights charges in January, after two mistrials.
Parker’s attorney Robert Tuten told WAAY 31 that he plans to appeal if he is found guilty.
If convicted Parker faces up to one year of imprisonment.
He was fired from the force after the alleged attack on Patel.
The former Alabama police officer also faces a lawsuit filed against him by Patel.
The assault had sparked outrage in the Indian community and India had raised the issue with the US, demanding expeditious investigation into the matter.
The Governor of the US state of Alabama had apologized for the brutal police assault on Patel.–PTI
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